Deadline for Applications
January 7, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
E (most hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Non Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS IICA2
2026-02-01
1. General Background
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on 14 December 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly and is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and pursue durable solutions to refugee situations worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and ensure access to asylum and international protection. UNHCR supports voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement to third countries, and holds a specific mandate to prevent and reduce statelessness and protect stateless persons. Over more than six decades, UNHCR has assisted tens of millions of people affected by forced displacement, working in partnership with governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders across diverse operational contexts.
In the Asia and Pacific region, UNHCR operates within a complex landscape of emergency and protracted displacement, hosting over 15.7 million forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The majority reside in urban or peri-urban settings, often in countries where national asylum systems remain limited or underdeveloped. While the principle of non-refoulement is generally recognised, refugees and asylum-seekers continue to face risks related to arrest, detention, restricted access to territory, and deportation. The region also hosts more than half of the world’s known stateless population, including Rohingya and other long-standing groups, with uneven progress on legal identity, nationality reform, and inclusion in national systems. Limited access to livelihoods, education, and essential services continues to undermine self-reliance and heighten protection risks, particularly for women and girls.
UNHCR has an ongoing project funded by the European Union (EU) through the EU International Partnerships (INTPA), which formulates EU development policy and collaborates with partner countries to achieve sustainable development. The project aims to provide support to Afghan refugees in Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia, as well as to returnees and internally displaced persons in Afghanistan.
The position will be based in Kabul, Afghanistan, under the direct supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer in the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), located in Bangkok, Thailand.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The incumbent will be responsible for the overall coordination of the EU-funded project, including:
Project Coordination & Monitoring
o Develop the project proposal and ensure alignment with donor requirements.
o Coordinate and prepare narrative and financial reports for INTPA.
o Monitor implementation progress across multiple countries.
Stakeholder Engagement
o Serve as the principal liaison between UNHCR and EU-INTPA teams in Brussels and field locations.
o Maintain close collaboration with UNHCR offices in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia, as well as RBAP and UNHCR Brussels.
o Engage with government partners and other stakeholders involved in the project.\
Technical Support
o Provide guidance to UNHCR offices throughout the implementation period.
o Work closely with protection, programme, external relations, and information management units.
Travel
o Travel to project locations (Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia) and within Afghanistan as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
• Timely submission of project proposals and donor reports (narrative and financial).
• Regular coordination meetings held with UNHCR offices and EU-INTPA counterparts.
• Implementation progress tracked and documented.
• Compliance with EU-INTPA contractual and reporting requirements.
• Identification and mitigation of risks affecting project delivery.
4. Qualifications and Experience
Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education): Undergraduate degree with 6 years relevant experience, or Graduate degree with 5 years relevant experience in Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations, or related fields.
Work Experience
• Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.
• Strong knowledge of UNHCR operations at HQ and field level.
• Proven experience in fundraising and programme management.
• Experience engaging with EU-INTPA and other EU institutions.
• Strategic analysis of EU regional and country strategies.
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
Core Competencies:
• Accountability: Taking ownership of responsibilities and delivering on commitments. Ensuring transparency and integrity in all actions.
• Communication: Conveying information clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, and adapting communication style to different audiences.
• Organizational Awareness: Understanding UNHCR’s mandate, structure, and priorities, and aligning work accordingly.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively with colleagues across different locations and cultures, fostering a positive and cooperative environment.
• Client & Result Orientation: Focusing on delivering quality outcomes for beneficiaries and meeting donor expectations.
Managerial Competencies
• Empowering and Building Trust: Creating an environment where team members feel trusted and supported to perform their roles.
• Judgement and Decision Making: Making sound decisions based on analysis, experience, and available information, even under pressure.
Cross-Functional Competencies
• Analytical Thinking: Breaking down complex issues, identifying patterns, and proposing solutions.
• Innovation and Creativity: Developing new approaches to overcome challenges and improve processes.
• Political Awareness: Understanding the political and socio-economic context and its impact on humanitarian operations.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No